still

  This morning, my mind was racing with the thoughts of sickness that is once again (or should I say STILL) in our house, the long drive ahead of Matt and I today as we go to another church where I will be playing the piano, what am I going to wear, what will the kids have for lunch....and then my mind wandered to other things.  What if the house sells soon- where will we go?  Should I direct CC again next year?  How am I going to learn third declension adjectives?  I wish I could help my friend with the move she is making.  When will our van be fixed?  Will I be able to get to CC on Thursday?  If Melanie gets the flu, will I be able to go and help her?  ....all those thoughts and more as I sat down in the quietness of the early morning with my coffee and my Bible.

I started to read Day 25 in the devotional by Andrew Murray Waiting on God and as I did, I felt the Lord trying to quiet my heart.  The words to a song that is on a CD a friend gave me a couple of years ago kept coming to mind.  I took the time to listen to it.

I felt so renewed, so quieted.  I can trust my God.  My soul can rest in Him alone.

scripture memory challenge- 2

Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; You have given commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.... For You are my hope; O Lord God You are my confidence from my youth...But as for me, I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.
Psalm 71:3,5,14

alissa

Happy 13th Birthday, Alissa!

It is hard to believe our little Alissa turned 13.  We now have three teenagers in the house- and I love it!  

 Alissa and Leah made her birthday cake.  Brianna tried a new chocolate fudge frosting recipe that made all of us decide we could never go back to store bought again!

We got to take the birthday girl out for lunch.  She chose the Golden Corral- she had never been before.  She was not disappointed!

 If you know Alissa, you know she LOVES chocolate.  The chocolate fountain was tempting her all through her meal- she could hardly wait to get to it!  

 She got a sweet present from God too...snow!  It snowed 4 inches that morning :)

Alissa is a sweet, diligent, caring, easy going girl who adds so much joy to our home.  I clearly remember her birth on that Sunday morning 13 years ago.  Our little 5lb, 5oz baby girl as sweet as could be.  God gave her to us and we are so grateful for the gift of her life.  Happy Birthday, precious girl!

don't worry, mommy

The kids got a few board games for Christmas.  I really didn't want to see pieces missing or lost or all over the floor, and since space is a challenge for us, I decided to store the games in the attic up and away from little hands.  The attic isn't finished and the stairs are steep,  but if you go almost to the top of the stairs, you can reach the games that are stacked neatly on the floor.  It has worked wonderfully but Leah is not allowed up there.  So, when she wants a game she has to ask someone to get it for her.
Last night Micah was in bed, Brianna and I were watching our Bible study DVD, Leah was hanging out with Matt, and the other kids were at AWANA.  Apparently Matt and Leah decided they were going to play Chutes and Ladders so they had to go to the attic to get it.  Leah was so excited that daddy was allowing her to go up there.  As she skipped past Brianna and I on her way up the stairs, she looked back at me and said, "Don't worry, Mommy, Daddy will be behind me!"

Right away I felt convicted.  That feeling stuck with me as I studied some Psalms this morning.  Leah was going into a place that was potentially dangerous but had no fear because daddy was behind her.  Not only was she not afraid, she was actually happy and excited!  God does the same for me.  He goes behind me.  The difference though?  He goes before me too!  Psalm 139:5 says, "You go before me and follow me.  You place Your hand of blessing on my head."  Before and behind.   Remind me again why I am ever afraid?

scripture memory challenge-1

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing  greatness of His power toward us who believe.  These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 1:18-20

Scripture Memory Challenge

bananas, bananas, bananas!

A friend helped us to get an incredible deal on bananas.  We snagged about 300 bananas for $10!  Not a bad deal- especially considering how many bananas we can eat.  Since they were all ripe, we peeled all of them and put them into freezer bags and into the freezer.  They will be so good in smoothies, banana bread, frozen desserts, and whatever else I find to put them in.  

Leah was helping peel them and she said, "why does God love us so much?"  She was acknowledging that the bananas were a gift from Him- I thought that was so sweet!  I am glad she is learning that "every good and perfect gift is from above..."  I told her that I don't know why God loves us so much but He does- and I love Him too!

new year

New year, new schedule, new outlook.....

Alissa asked me if I was going to post about Christmas.  I thought a lot about it before deciding the answer is  "no". This Christmas was a very special one- actually the whole season was.  The thing is, it wasn't because of anything I could take pictures of or put into words.  I anticipated Christmas like one who is thirsty anticipates water.  I needed the stillness, I needed Jesus.  

As a family, we had wonderful times of celebration and memory making.  But, when it was all over it was time to begin again.  I did a lot of reflecting on the year behind us and with much prayer realized that many things needed to change.  I wasn't accomplishing all my goals for myself and for my family.  

So, on January 2 we had a new start.  

It is just that- a start.  I need God and His grace to make it more than just a start and I am confidently expecting Him to do that!

T

Caleb tracing a map of the United States

Brianna getting ready to study for her advanced biology test.  She is memorizing 45 different muscles.  

Gotta love Saxon math!

Alissa free-handing Europe from memory.  Still is working on a couple of the smaller country borders but will be ready to draw and label countries and capitals by Tuesday!

Cam has a longer break than the rest of us do so he is taking advantage of it by staying in pjs a little longer.  :) He does have to finish this book before his CC class meets again though and he is on target to do it!

Part of Andrew's day involves listening to Keys for Kids and Adventures in Odyssey on the radio.  He does  Draw Write Now during that time- and loves it!

Leah LOVES "school" and has enjoyed my one on one time with her.

I was folding laundry yesterday afternoon and found these four pieces of clothing.  I got Brianna's attention and we both smiled.  Leah.  This is her very favorite outfit and she would like to wear it everyday.  Bri couldn't believe I let her wear it when we went grocery shopping.  I know too well though that she won't be wearing things like this forever and I am cherishing this time right now.  She really wants to just wear her "Rose shirt" (the tie-dyed shirt that looks like the one her friend Rose has) and the shorts.  I told her that it is winter and she can't wear short sleeved shirts and shorts.  She solves the problem by wearing the blue shirt under the tie dyed and the pants under the shorts.  Clever little stinker! ;)

Bri and Cam are taking an online course on the US Constitution that their grandfather recommended to them.  Here they are listening to a lecture.  (Brianna is the note taker ;)

I am so thankful for the many gifts God has given me.  A husband who is a Godly man and amazing leader of our family and precious children who make me so thankful  to be a mama.  Making changes to make their lives better is worth every sacrifice.